I am having a major issue with bats around my house! The disturbing creatures swoop down in to my pool to skim bugs from off the top. The big problem is that they do this even while we are in the pool! They fly overhead, almost swarming, until they drop down in the water. I am disturbed and my kids are panic stricken. Please help!!!
2007-07-22 15:19:32 · 11 answers · asked by carrie v 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Toss the heads of chrysanthemums into the pool and let them bob about for days. That can help a little by discouraging insects. Also, avoid being in the pool during the bat's feeding times. And, you might want to try turning on a high, bright light far away from the pool to attract insects there in order to lure the bats away from the pool.
2007-07-22 15:31:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is the bugs, the bats are helping you with it. If you can, screen around the pool area to keep the insects out and skim the surface before dusk. The only insects to attract the bats will then have to come over the screen and the bats will catch them high in the air. Some education for your kids would also be worthwhile. A harmless bat will eat half its bodyweight in harmful mosquitoes in a night.
2007-07-22 15:45:35 · answer #2 · answered by virtualguy92107 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not certain how you can stop this behavior, short of building a roof of sorts over your pool. The good news is you don't have too much to worry about. Bats will make every effort to avoid you, and they are good at it too. Their radar is fantastic. Most bat/human contacts come from cases where the bat is attempting to not run into a person and the person moves suddenly. Bats (unlike bug zappers) get rid of "bad" bugs too. They can eat up to 600 mosquitoes in an hour, that is about half their weight in mosquitoes in a single night.
2007-07-22 15:30:02 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin M 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What's wrong with the bats. Would you rather have a harmless pool cleaner free of charge, or a dirty pool filled with bugs.Teach your kids (and yourself) how bats help the environment (in your case, your house). Read them non-fictional books about bats. Do not show them scary movies that have vampires in them. Most importantly, do not hurt them. If you really don't want them around your pool, then keep the bugs they eat away from the pool.
2007-07-23 00:53:35 · answer #4 · answered by S N 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't really to get rid of the bats. Bats are there because you've got so many bugs out there. Bats can take in about 1000 mosquitoes an hour. I can't estimate the other bugs. People build bat houses, because there's nothing better than a bat for killing mosquitoes. They're out to eat bugs, and they will not attack you. Read up on bats, and get ready for some surprises.
2007-07-22 16:20:52 · answer #5 · answered by lyyman 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I strongly agree with the other educated answers telling you how benefical bats are to the environment..and while they may frighten your kids...they are not going to do any harm to you, and will not hit you, their echolocation is much too good for this to happen. I just wanted to add that many species of bats are declining and endangered, and are protected by law, killing a bat MAY send you to jail and will come with heavy fines..so DO NOT kill them...please! I would also like to add that as the weather gets colder the bats will move on...most bats will migrate to warmer regions or hibernate, so they will not be there forever..this is only a temporary thing. Can you refrain from swimming at night until they migrate or hibernate...or just go ahead and swim and enjoy the show!
2007-07-22 18:55:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drain the pool and go on the offensive by seeking out the nest called a "roost." Some roosts can be over a million bats. Contact the local government. The blue pages for county government in the phone book of what otherwise would be called the yellow pages. But don't hire an exterminator though you could consult with one. I imagine they'd charge you too much. Basically calling the city officials to see if your property tax dollars and income tax dollars will pay for it. Additionally you got to use insecticides, all natural insecticides, organic, biodegradable, harmless to your children. They make them I have a bottle. And this will get rid of their food supply.
Edit: Don't shoot them but ask city officials if poisoning them in an easy way that won't harm other wildlife or people or be harmful to the environment could be employed. Bats can carry rabies and should be considered a public hazard or public safety issue that could harm your children or your neighbors children. The city and county should be obligated to eradicate them. You probably do not have the right to shoot a wild animal that is on your property and poses a threat to your children.
Edit: Contact your local homeowners association. A preponderance of bats will lower property values in the area so this would motive them to do something about it.
2007-07-22 15:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Perhaps you should educate your kids (and yourself) about bats. There is nothing to be afraid of. Plus, the bats are cleaning your pool, free of charge. It sounds like a good deal to me.
2007-07-22 15:25:23 · answer #8 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
What's the problem? Mosquito control sounds good to me. Bats can't hurt you.
2007-07-22 15:37:10 · answer #9 · answered by Strix 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call a pest controll service. I know sounds strange, but they could point you in the right direction
2007-07-22 15:27:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋